[MlMt] Rule will not run automatically?

[Randall Gellens]

On 28 Sep 2024, at 17:45, Randy Abbott wrote:

> I recently created a rule that permanently deletes all messages older 
> than seven days that is in the Junk folder older. While I can manually 
> run the rule to delete the messages, it will not run automatically.
>
> Here is a screen shot of the rule.
>
> [ "Screenshot 2024-09-28 at 7.36.39 PM.png" ]
>
> I have two rules for the Junk folder. This rule is listed after 
> another rule that marks-as-read messages flagged as spam, which runs 
> automatically without issue.
>
> [ "Screenshot 2024-09-28 at 7.37.35 PM.png" ]
>
> Why is this rule running automatically? Are there any setings I might 
> have missed that prevent automatic execution?

My understanding is that rules for a normal (IMAP) mailbox run when 
messages enter the mailbox. They are not run continuously. So, you mark 
a message as junk, presumably on the day you receive it. It enters the 
Junk mailbox and the rules are applied. Since the date received is 
within seven days, the condition is not met and hence the message is not 
deleted. As the message is already in the Junk mailbox, it won't be 
rescanned against the rules unless you do so manually.

The way U handle this is to create a virtual ("smart") mailbox with 
mailbox conditions that set to match desired messages, in this case, the 
virtual mailbox conditions would include date received not within seven 
days. Then have a rule in  the virtual mailbox that permanently deletes 
messages.

Look in this mailing list for my message with subject "Delete messages 
completely in the Deleted Messages Folder older than a month?" that was 
sent August 3 2024 at 12:32PM U.S. PDT . It has detailed step by step 
instructions and pictures.

--Randall